Dr ASHOK HK

EDUCATION

Master of Dental Surgery

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Multidisciplinary, Multidisciplinary, Multidisciplinary

Scopus Publications

Stress distribution in endodontically treated hypertaurodont mandibular 2nd molars restored with different postendodontic restorations by finite element analysis
B. Vedavathi, K. N. Shreya, H. K. Ashok, M. Deepthi, Aathira Das
Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, 2026
Background: This article evaluates the stress distribution in endodontically treated hypertaurodont mandibular 2 nd molars restored with different postendodontic restorations by finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography data of a mandibular second molar exhibiting hypertaurodontism were used to generate a three-dimensional tooth model using MIMICS 9.0 software developed by Materialise. The solid model obtained was imported into ANSYS 14.0 developed by ANSYS, Inc. to create the geometric design and finite element mesh. For model development and refinement, SolidWorks and Blender Foundation software were also utilized. Based on the restorative material used to fill the elongated root canal space, three finite element models were developed: Model 1 Gutta-percha (GP) + Endocrown, Model 2 Ribbond + Endocrown, and Model 3 EverX Posterior + Endocrown. A vertical load of 350 N was applied to the functional cusps of all three models and the resulting stress patterns were analyzed. Results: FE model 3, restored with EverX Posterior + Endocrown, exhibited the lowest stress values, followed by the Ribbond-reinforced model 2. The highest stress concentration was observed in the Gutta percha + Endocrown model. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this FEA study, it can be concluded that hypertaurodont teeth with Endocrown as definative restorations demonstrated superior 26 biomechanical behavior when restored intraradicularly with EverX Posterior followed by Ribbond and the one with GP showed the least favorable stress distribution.
Effect of premedication with Ibuprofen on pain perception in patients during root canal procedure with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial
H K Ashok, Amreen Firdose, B. Vedavathi, Akshata J Airsang, MA Ranjini, Ambili
Endodontology, 2026
Aim: To assess the pain perception with premedication of ibuprofen and placebo in patients during root canal procedure with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis. Methods: Randomized comparative double-blinded clinical trial. Sixty mandibular first and second molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis were randomly allocated into two groups, Group 1 – Ibuprofen (400 mg) and Group 2 – Placebo. The premedication was administered 45 min before the endodontic treatment. Subjects were asked to mark the highest pain level they experienced before the commencement of endodontic therapy, on access opening and completion of instrumentation on a Visual Analog Scale. The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare the mean age. The Chi-square test was used to compare the gender distributions and additional LA during the procedure between two groups. The comparison of mean visual analog (VA) scores for pain between different time intervals in each group was done using Friedman’s test followed by Wilcoxon signed-rank Post hoc test. Results: The VA scores significantly reduced in Group 1 compared to Group 2 at P < 0.001. Conclusion: Premedicated with Ibuprofen significantly reduced intraoperative pain in mandibular 1 st and 2 nd molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis.
Emerging role of nanotechnology in dental pain management: A narrative review
Ashok HK, Amreen Firdose, Vedavathi D Boregowda, Ranjini MA
Ip Indian Journal of Conservative and Endodontics, 2026
Pain control is central to successful dental practice, yet conventional approaches with anesthetics and analgesics often suffer from limitations such as short duration of action, systemic toxicity, and inconsistent effectiveness in chronic orofacial conditions. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising frontier to overcome these challenges by enabling site-specific, controlled, and sustained drug delivery. Nanocarriers such as liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, and nanofibers can enhance the bioavailability of analgesics and anesthetics, minimize systemic exposure, and prolong therapeutic effects. Recent advances also include stimuli-responsive nanoparticles that release drugs in response to pH, temperature, or external triggers like ultrasound, allowing precise and on-demand pain relief. Furthermore, nano-enabled biomaterials and regenerative scaffolds show potential in modulating inflammation and promoting healing while alleviating discomfort. This narrative review highlights the applications of nanotechnology in dental pain management, emphasizing its role in improving efficacy, reducing side effects, and shaping future personalized pain control strategies.
Effect of fiber post number on fracture resistance of endodontically treated mandibular second molars: An in vitro study
Vedavathi Boregowda, Nischitha Anand, Ashok H K, Priyanka H Hadimani, Lipika Jain, Shivani D Hegde
Ip Indian Journal of Conservative and Endodontics, 2026
Background: Endodontically treated molars with less sound tooth structure, often require reinforcement with fibre posts whose number varies and location influences the fracture resistance.Aim: To evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of grossly destructed mandibular second molars restored with one or two intraradicular fibre posts placed in different canal locations.Settings and Design: In vitro experimental study.Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted permanent mandibular second molars with at least 3 mm of sound coronal tooth structure were endodontically treated and randomly allocated into three groups (n = 10) based on post location: Group I (DP)—fibre post in the distal canal; Group II (MP)—fibre post in the mesial canal; and Group III (DMP)—fibre posts in both mesial and distal canals. All specimens were restored with full metal crowns, subjected to thermocycling, and tested for fracture resistance using a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05).Results: The distal post group demonstrated the highest mean fracture resistance, followed by the group with posts placed in both canals, while the mesial post group exhibited the lowest mean values. The differences among the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The location of the fibre post significantly influences the fracture resistance of grossly destructed endodontically treated mandibular second molars. Placement of a fibre post in the distal canal resulted in superior fracture resistance compared to other post configurations.Clinical Implication: In grossly destructed mandibular second molars, placement of a fiber post in the distal canal demonstrated improved fracture resistance, suggesting a favorable influence on the long-term prognosis of post-endodontic restorations.
Finite element analysis of flared fractured maxillary central incisors restored with composite core full crown, fiber post full crown, everStick post full crown, and endocrown using lithium disilicate material
Anusha Sequeira, B. Vedavathi, H. K. Ashok, Payal Das
Endodontology, 2025
Aim: To compare and evaluate the stress distribution of flared fractured maxillary central incisors restored with, fiber post, everStick post, and endocrown (EC) by FEA. Methods: Four three-dimensional FEA models that simulated a maxillary incisor with excessive structure loss and flared root canals were created and restored with the following techniques/materials: Model 1 – composite core/full ceramic crown; Model 2 – fiber post/full ceramic crown; Model 3 – everStick post/full ceramic crown; and Model 4 – eEC. A 100-N static load was applied at the center of the palatal surface of the tooth to calculate stress distribution. MSC NASTRAN 2020 and postprocessing were done using software ALTAIR HYPERVIEW 2022 for FEA analysis. Results: Root canal treated fractured flared maxillary central incisors with composite core, and full crown showed an overall maximum stress value of 1080 MPa followed by EC 961 MPa, fiber post/crown group 888 MPa, and everStick/crown group 864 MPa. Conclusion: Overall stress seen in fractured flared maxillary central incisors restored with composite core – Emax full crown was maximum followed by EC, fiber post, and everStick full crown models. The overall stress seen with fiber post and everStick was almost similar and less compared to the other two models.
Comparative evaluation of microleakage in Class II cavities restored with snowplow technique using flowable or preheated packable bulk‑fill composite resin as gingival increment by dye extraction method: An in vitro study
M. A. Ranjini, V. Geetha, B. Vedavathi, H. K. Ashok, Akshata J. Airsang, S. Swathi
Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, 2024
Context: One of the undesirable characteristics of dental composite resin is the polymerization shrinkage and the associated microleakage. The snowplow technique of placement and the preheating of the composite resins are methods to minimize microleakage. Aim: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate microleakage in Class II cavities restored with snowplow technique using either preheated packable or flowable bulk-fill composite resin. Methodology: Fifty sound first molars were selected. Class II mesio-occlusal box preparations were made. The test specimens were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1: Tetric N-Flow Bulk Fill and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill co-cured in snowplow technique. Group 2: Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill preheated to 60°C and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill co-cured in snowplow technique. Restored teeth were processed for dye extraction. Statistical Analysis: Mann–Whitney U-test was applied to compare the microleakage between the groups. Results: Results indicate that specimens in Group 2 showed lower microleakage (median 0.041750) when compared to specimens in Group 1 (median 0.059400). Conclusion: The results imply that the preheated packable bulk-fill composite resin showed less microleakage as compared to flowable composite while restoring Class II cavities by the snowplow technique.
In vitro evaluation of the effect of addition of biomaterials to carbamide peroxide on the bleaching efficacy and microhardness of enamel
Sowmya Kavoor, M. A. Ranjini, Naval Abdul Aziz, H. K. Ashok, Roopa R. Nadig
Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, 2024
Background and Aim: Teeth bleaching, although considered safe and conservative, cause microscopic changes in the tooth structure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bleaching efficacy of carbamide peroxide (CP) bleaching gel when modified with the incorporation of bioactive glass (BG) and hydroxyapatite (HA) and its effect on enamel microhardness. Materials and Methods: Forty-five maxillary incisors were decoronated, artificially stained and mounted in acrylic. The samples were divided into three groups of 15 each and subjected to the following bleaching protocol for 8 h/day at 37°C for 2 weeks: Group 1 – 16% CP, Group 2 – CP modified with BG, and Group 3 – CP modified with hydroxyapatite (HA). Spectrophotometric color assessment using CIE L*a*b* system and Vickers microhardness were assessed before and after bleaching. Data were analyzed using Student’s paired t-test and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc analysis. Results: There was a significant change in color (L*a*b*) in all the three groups when compared to the baseline values. However, no significant difference in the total color change (ΔE) was observed between the three groups. Enamel microhardness reduced significantly in the CP group, whereas it increased in the BG and HA group after bleaching. Scanning electron microscopy images of BG and HA groups showed crystalline deposits suggesting mineral deposition. Conclusion: Addition of biomaterials can be a beneficial alternative to bleaching with CP alone, considering the increase in microhardness without hindering the bleaching action.
Effect of application of naturally occurring anti-oxidant agents on bonding of composite resin to bleached enamel at different time intervals-an in-vitro study
H. K. Ashok, Roopa R. Nadig, B. Vedavathi, Veena S. Pai
Aip Conference Proceedings, 2023

Publications

1. A multi disciplinary approach to correct loss of VDO by Full mouth rehabilitation :
2. Effect of application of naturally occurring anti oxidant agents on bonding of composite resin to bleached enamel . - An invitro study
3. Non surgical Endodontic treatment of Dens Invaginatus Type 2 in Maxillary Incisors with perapical lesion- Case Report.
4. Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of herbal extracts of aloe vera leaves and mushroom against streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus - an in vitro study
5. Clinical study to assess the safety of the seven variants of Botanic tooth paste- A randomized controlled study.
6. Long term alkalizing effect of Cention N at different ph levels- An invitro study.
7. To evaluate antimicrobial efficacy of ozone oil against streptococcus mutans and E faecalis microorganisms using disk diffusion method- An invitro study